Category: Affordable Sports 
Price Range: No data available
Supercar-slaying performance, beautifully balanced handling, great six-speed 'box, racecar-with-numberplates looks.
Unforgiving ride, no ABS, excessive care is needed in standing water.
Hardcore R300 is at home on the road and is our pick of the Caterham range.
The R300 is not a comfortable place to spend time.
A short cruise along the motorway will leave you exhausted and even with a crash helmet the buffeting on a motorway is tiring. On a hot day the heat from the engine and transmission will cook you.
The noise from the driver's side exhaust pipe is also deafening, but at least without a roof, getting in and out is easier. Also, there's none of the roof-up claustrophobia you suffer in the Roadsport.
As far as standard equipment goes, there's not much.
The R300 gets the firm's fantastic six-speed manual, 15" wheels with Avon CR500 tyres fitted (careful in standing water, they're prone to aquaplaning), a quick-release Momo steering wheel, small wind deflector, four-point harness and race seats, keyless go, plus the impressive and lightweight carbon-fibre dash.
Alas, the options list is equally long and there are plenty of must-have extras you will want to consider. For regular track work the dry sump oil system will be crucial to prevent oil starvation (£1,260). We also recommend the £895 limited slip diff and gear change-up lights that illuminate when another gear is needed (£250).
Paint costs an extra £865 for (non-metallic) or £1,210 (metallic). You might also deem that odd stripe here or there a necessity (£80-£185).
Finally, for those terrified of life without a hood the windscreen and hood can be put back for £900.
